Effigy of Fifa president chosen for bonfire event

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has been unveiled as this year's effigy for Edenbridge Bonfire Society's annual celebration.

The society said Infantino had been chosen for its celebration in the Kent town on Saturday after making a "string of decisions that have left their mark on the world of football in the wake of the World Cup".

Previous celebrity targets have included former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and US President Donald Trump, who is also included in the effigy after Infantino gave him the new Fifa Peace Prize this year.

Elon Musk, Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner were among the other nominations from the public, the society said.

The not-for-profit organisation has been celebrating Bonfire Night for nearly 100 years, having run a parade in Edenbridge since 1928.

Laura Lawrence, of the Edenbridge Bonfire Society, said there was a desire to pivot away from politicians but the choice of Infantino "isn't quite entirely moved away from politics".

Lawrence said Infantino "thoroughly deserves to take centre stage" on Saturday due to controversies which include suspending the red card given to United States' player Folarin Balogun during the 2026 World Cup, at the request of Trump.

The Fifa president also planned to sell off stakes in the World Cup to private investors but scrapped the proposal due to opposition.

Andrea Deans, the artist and co-chair of the Edenbridge Bonfire Society, has been creating the effigies since 2016.

While an effigy can take about a week to prepare, she said Infantino was ready in six days.

Reflecting on the decision to include the US president, she said: "We did him 10 years ago, so it's a bit of an anniversary for us... we couldn't leave him out."

Deans said there were also some local elements, such as a bin and traffic lights.

The former was included to reflect "problems" residents have had with waste collections, while she said there were "traffic lights almost every month in Edenbridge causing havoc".

A "red card hotline" token and a "Presidents for Dummies" book are also on the effigy, as is a Manchester City shirt, placed in light of the club being found guilty of 114 financial fair play rules.

The 36ft (11m) effigy of Infantino will take centre stage this year, alongside a giant Guy Fawkes.

All roads into Edenbridge will close at 18:00 GMT on Saturday in preparation for the event, which starts at 18:30 with a torch lit procession.

More than 1,000 flaming torches will illuminate a procession of around 20 floats, walking parties, visiting Bonfire Societies and marching bands.

Fifa has been contacted for comment.

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